Evercool Transformer 4 Review

Introduction:

With the increased thermal output of Intel's Core i7 CPUs, larger heat sinks are becoming very popular. Another trend is direct heat pipe contact with the CPU heat spreader, allowing the heat pipes to wisk away heat from the CPU to the fins faster than when the heat must travel through a base plate. Evercool has a new direct heat pipe heat sink called the Transformer 4, which is very similar to the design of another heat sink I recently reviewed, the Titan Fenrir, which will be the main item to compare to in terms of design. The Transformer 4 HPJ-12025 can be used with either one fan or both of the included fans. The included clips can also allow larger fans to be mounted to the heat sink.

The Transformer 4 packs in four large heat pipes and is actively cooled by two 120mm silent fans with low decibels of <21dBA and rotation speed of ~1000RPM. The heat sink comes ready to mount to Intel LGA 1366, LGA 775, and AMD 754/939/940/AM2. This beast weighs in at 843.5g and measures in at 130x122x160mm. This heat sink is definitely big!

Closer Look:

The front of the box reveals the beast immediately, with the Evercool logo and model number HPJ-12025 in the top corners. It also shows stickers for Core i7 LGA 1366, P4 LGA775, and AMD K8/AM2, with the quote "Free collocation makes much colder and quieter". The package features an angled shot of the heat sink, with the name and type of heat sink under it - Transformer 4, Heat Pipe CPU Cooler, www.evercool.com.tw. Rotating to the back shows the specifications and features of the heat sink, with pictures of different motherboard mounting. Another angled build picture of the Transformer 4 with semi-transparent fans and also a picture demonstrating the "Free Collocation" decorate part of the back. The clamshell package is fairly sturdy and should protect the heat sink well from abuse during shipping.

The first side reveals many of the AMD processors supported by the heat sink. The most glaring omission is the Phenom 2, although it will work with that too. Below that are six icons showing the features of the heat sink. The opposite side shows the Intel processors that the Transformer 4 directly supports, and five pictures of itself at a few different angles.

Cutting open the clamshell packaging and removing the insert shows the protective plastic form that holds the Transformer 4 in place. The form fits tightly in place, with a compartment underneath for the cardboard box containing the various accessories.

Both fans are painted chrome, and have a holographic Evercool sticker on them. The paint is soft and chips off easily. According to Evercool's website, these fans draw 0.16 A, run at 1400 RPM, pump out 53.4 CFM maximum with 0.07 Inch H20, at <28.3 dBA. The fans have an estimated lifespan of 40,000 hours.

The inside of the insert contains the instructions, featuring plenty of pictures to guide people through installation on an AMD or Intel system. The small white box contains the mounting brackets, bolts, washers, and thermal paste to get the heat sink installed. The mounting plate has holes for other sockets that the box did not list.

With everything unpacked, let's get a better look at the Evercool Transformer 4!